The history of Tonga is recorded since the century after 900 BC, when seafarers associated with the Lapita diaspora first settled the islands which now make up the Kingdom of Tonga. Along with Fiji and Samoa, the area served as a gateway into the rest of the Pacific region known as Polynesia. Ancient Tongan mythologies recorded by early European explorers report the islands of 'Ata and Tongatapu as the first islands having been hauled to the surface from the deep ocean by Maui.
The Legislative Assembly of Tonga has 26 members in which 17 members elected by majority of the people for a 5-year term in multi-seat constituencies via the single non-transferable vote system. There are 9 members elected by the 33 hereditary nobles of Tonga. The Assembly is controlled by the speaker of the House who is elected by majority of the elected members of Parliament and constitutionally appointed by the king.
Parliamentary elections were held in Tonga on 23 and 24 April 2008 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly. The nobles were elected on 23 April, and the nine people's representatives on 24 April. A total of 32,000 people turned out to vote, giving a turnout of 48%.
Samiuela ʻAkilisi Pōhiva is a Tongan pro-democracy activist and politician. Pohiva, the leader of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (DPFI), has served as the Prime Minister of Tonga since 2014. He is only the fourth commoner to serve as Prime Minister, and the first commoner to be elected to that position by Parliament rather than appointed by the King. On 25 August 2017 he was dismissed by the King along with the rest of parliament with fresh elections to be held on November 16, which his party won with enough seats to form government.
The Cabinet of Tonga is the cabinet of the government of the Kingdom of Tonga. It is composed primarily of the ministers of government. The latter, including the Prime Minister, are appointed by the monarch. The Governor of Ha'apai and the Governor of Vava'u also serve on the Cabinet ex officio. When in session and presided over by the monarch, the Cabinet is known as the Privy Council.
‘Isileli Pulu is a Tongan politician and Member of the Tongan Parliament. He is a member of the Human Rights and Democracy Movement and the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.
Sione Sangster Saulala is a Tongan broadcaster and politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. He is a member of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.
The 2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly was established following the 2010 elections, the first under a new system which saw the majority of seats elected by universal suffrage. The Taimi Media Network described it as "Tonga's first democratically elected Parliament".
Dr Sitiveni Halapua is a Tongan politician and Member of the Tongan Parliament. He is a deputy leader of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.
Sosefo Fe‘aomoeata Vakata is a Tongan politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. He is a former member of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.
Percy Sione Havea Taione, more commonly known as Sione Taione, is a Tongan politician. He belongs to the Seventh Day Adventist Church and serves as an Elder for the Malapo Church in Tonga.
Semisi Palu ‘Ifoni Tapueluelu, more commonly known as Semisi Tapueluelu, is a Tongan politician.
Siosifa Tuʻitupou Tuʻutafaiva is a Tongan lawyer and politician.
Niuas is an electoral constituency which sends one representative to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. It covers the islands of Niuafoʻou and Niuatoputapu.
Tongatapu 1 is an electoral constituency for the Legislative Assembly in the Kingdom of Tonga. It was established for the November 2010 general election, when the multi-seat regional constituencies for People's Representatives were replaced by single-seat constituencies, electing one representative via the first past the post electoral system. Located on the country's main island, Tongatapu, it encompasses the villages of Kolomotuʻa, Tongataʻeapa, Tufuenga, Sopu-ʻo-Taufaʻahau, ʻIsileli, Halaʻo vave, Tuʻatakilangi, Longolongo, Vaololoa, and Kapeta.
Tongatapu 2 is an electoral constituency for the Legislative Assembly in the Kingdom of Tonga. It was established for the November 2010 general election, when the multi-seat regional constituencies for People's Representatives were replaced by single-seat constituencies, electing one representative via the first past the post electoral system. Located on the country's main island, Tongatapu, it encompasses part of Kolofoʻou, and the villages of Fanga-ʻo-Pilolevu, Mailetaha, Haveluloto, Tofoa, and Koloua.
Tongatapu 3 is an electoral constituency for the Legislative Assembly in the Kingdom of Tonga. It was established for the November 2010 general election, when the multi-seat regional constituencies for People's Representatives were replaced by single-seat constituencies, electing one representative via the first past the post electoral system. Located on the country's main island, Tongatapu, it encompasses parts of Kolofoʻou and Maʻufanga, and the entirety of the villages of Pahu, ʻAmaile, Fasi-moe-afi-ʻa-Tungi, Ngeleʻia, Mataika, and Halaleva.
Tongatapu 4 is an electoral constituency for the Legislative Assembly in the Kingdom of Tonga. It was established for the November 2010 general election, when the multi-seat regional constituencies for People's Representatives were replaced by single-seat constituencies, electing one representative via the first past the post electoral system. Located on the country's main island, Tongatapu, it encompasses part of Maʻufanga, and the entirety of the villages of Houmakelikao, ʻAnana, ʻUmisi, Fangaloto, Popua, Patangata, Nukunukumotu, Tukutonga, and Pangaimotu.
Tongatapu 5 is an electoral constituency for the Legislative Assembly in the Kingdom of Tonga. It was established for the November 2010 general election, when the multi-seat regional constituencies for People's Representatives were replaced by single-seat constituencies, electing one representative via the first past the post electoral system. Located in the central-western part of the country's main island, Tongatapu, it encompasses the villages of Kanokupolu, Haʻatafu, Kolovai, Haʻavakatolo, ʻAhau, Foʻui, Teʻekiu, Masilamea, Nukunuku, Matafonua, Matahau, Vaotuʻu, Fahefa, Kalaʻau, Haʻutu, and ʻAtata.
Vavaʻu is an electoral constituency which sends two representatives to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. It covers the eponymous region and island chain.
